I am very sorry. If there is a just God, please help this family. Condolences on the loss of your wife. Prayers also for your daughters.
Much love @agnosticpipe.It's taken me awhile to decide to write this post, but I feel it's time. The last year, year and a half even, has been difficult because my wife of 42 years has been fighting multiple health problems. Amazingly none of it Covid related! After she turned 80 she started to have some problems with dementia and her balance, and muscle loss, so she started using a cane to get around. Then about a year ago she lost her balance in the bathroom and fell backwards and hit her back on the edge of the tub. So now she had a fractured vertebra and two broken ribs. It took her a long time to recover but she continued to lose strength in her legs. I did all I could for her at home along with some home health nurses, but after a while she couldn't even stand. I had to put her in the hospital, and from there to a physical rehab center. Four weeks later she was back in the hospital, and after three days passed away.
On top of that, our oldest daughter who was coming out from CA to help was diagnosed with breast cancer and couldn't come. Our younger daughter, who is a nurse no less is having bad back problems with bulging discs and osteoporosis. She managed to come out for a few days, but couldn't stay because of her therapy.
When it rains it pours I guess.
I recently decided to buy a new pipe in memory of my wife and to cheer me up. I was looking at Smoking Pipes estate pipes when I saw the pipe, unsmoked no less. Being low on funds at this point, I decided to send some of my pipes in for trade. They were very fair and I easily had enough to cover the cost of this pipe. My first Ashton, a Brindle, straight pot, one X. This style is probably not for everyone, and yes it's somewhat small but not as small as you would think. It's quirky looking which reminds me of my wife and her tastes. She would love this pipe, and every time I smoke I can think of all the good times we had smoking our pipes over the years.
Sorry for the long winded sob story, but this forum has been my happy place for about nine years, for which I thank all the members here.
View attachment 146406
View attachment 146408